Farmhouse Lease Dispute: Delhi Court Reinstates Kuldeep Bishnoi as Party in the Suit

Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Saturday directed to include Haryana Politician Kuldeep Bishnoi as a party in a Suit filed against Bishnoi’s family-owned Company – Seth Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. Earlier, the same court had ordered to remove Kuldeep Bishnoi’s name from the array of parties.

Additional District Judge Satyabrata Panda, through an order on January 31, permitted the review application moved by the plaintiff. The judge stated that for determining the question of damages, it would be relevant to ascertain who actually remained in wrongful possession after the determination of the lease in adjudicating any personal liability of Kuldeep Bishnoi as a Director, and again made him a party in the suit.

The owner of the farmhouse/Plaintiff is represented by Advocate Sumit Gehlot from Fidelegal Advocates and Solicitors.

Kuldeep Bishnoi, through his company Seth Enterprises, took a Farm House in Westend Green, Rajokari, New Delhi, on lease from Nimitaya Properties Ltd./owner for residential purposes on May 20, 2013. The said Farm had previously served as the registered Party office/Headquarter of Kuldeep Bishnoi’s Political Party – Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC).

According to the plaintiff, despite the expiry of the lease, which was for a fixed period of 2 years, Kuldeep Bishnoi did not vacate the Farm and illegally retained possession. This led the owner to file a Suit in 2015 before the Court in Delhi.

The Court, on September 3, 2020, directed Seth Enterprises/Kuldeep Bishnoi to vacate the Farm and handover possession to the owner. Patiala House Court, through an order on October 29, 2022, directed Bishnoi’s family-owned Company to pay rent of Rs.3,75,00,568/-, which was challenged in Delhi High Court. The Delhi High Court, on January 17, 2013, directed Seth Enterprises to deposit 50% of the amount as per the trial Court’s order on October 29, 2022, and remit the same before the Trial Court in 2 trenches.

On the Landlord/owner’s application for review, wherein it was argued by Advocate Sumit Gehlot that issues were framed on February 18, 2016, against Kuldeep Bishnoi, specifically on the point of damages, which was to be a matter of trial. It was further argued that the Farm House was given on rent for the residence of Kuldeep Bishnoi and his family members, and the Court Commissioner’s inspection report found that damages have been caused to the property by digging of tunnels, installing additional gates, and damaging walls, etc.

Kuldeep Bishnoi, a four-time MLA from Haryana Legislative Assembly and son of former three-time Chief Minister of Haryana Late Bhajan Lal, is a heavyweight politician. Currently, BJP MLA Bhavya Bishnoi, from Adampur Hisar Haryana, and Chaitanya Bishnoi, Kuldeep Bishnoi’s sons, are directors in M/s. Seth Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. Kuldeep Bishnoi founded Haryana Janhit Congress – Jatin (HJC (BL)) in 2007 along with his father Ch. Bhajan Lal.